FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo Directs FSM COVID-19 Task Force to Extend Vaccination Timelines for Social Security Beneficiaries to September 30th, 2021; FSM Health to Develop Uniform Tool for Special Exemptions from Vaccination
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On August 18th, 2021, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—signed a Directive to the Chair of the FSM COVID-19 Task Force extending the mandatory requirement for FSM Social Security beneficiaries to receive their COVID-19 vaccination to September 30th, 2021. The previously mandated date was August 30th, 2021. The purpose of the extension is to give ample time to the Nation’s elderly citizens to complete their vaccination, and in a more comfortable and achievable timeline.
Additionally, the Directive requires the Administrator of the FSM Social Security Administration to provide the Chair of the FSM COVID-19 Task Force a list of Social Security beneficiaries for the special purpose of verifying their COVID-19 vaccination coverage, including special exemption from the vaccination for those individuals with rare medical conditions upon their assessment by a qualified medical doctor.
Not specified in the Directive, but discussed in a meeting on August 18th, 2021, with the Chair of the Task Force, was the President’s instruction that the Task Force and Department of Health & Social Affairs shall develop the necessary documentation for those who qualify for special exemptions from the vaccination for medical reasons, and to ensure that such documentation is uniform throughout the Nation.
Finally, the Directive requires the Chair of the Task Force to provide timely updates to the President and bi-weekly updates to the public on the Nation’s vaccination efforts.
55% of the Nation’s eligible adult population is fully vaccinated, a 3% increase from the previous week and directly attributable to the Nation-wide COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 63% of the Nation’s eligible adult population has received partial COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
As of August 18th, 2021, the FSM remains COVID-19 free.
The President’s Directive may be found here: https://gov.fm/files/August_18_DIRECTIVE_on_SS_Extention_to_V.pdf
